BITS plans to set up mgmt institute in AP

HYDERABAD: Birla Institute of Technology & Sciences (BITS) is planning to set up an institute of management on the lines of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Andhra Pradesh.

It has also tied up with a university abroad for curriculum development. ``We have not finalised our plans. We are looking at starting the institute in two years,'' said K K Birla, chancellor of BITS.

Talking to media on the sidelines of a function organised on the sidelines of the foundation stone lying ceremony of BITS campus in Hyderabad, he said, the institute wanted to diversify and that he would accept the offer made by the state chief minister to provide all the support for setting up another institute. ``We wanted to offer quality education in different fields,'' he said.

BITS is setting up a campus in Hyderabad at an investment of about Rs 280 crore. ``We have acquired 200 acres of land and the first phase of the campus would be ready by 2008-09 academic year. Initially our student intake will be 600 and we will offer degree programmes in engineering and science,'' he said.

The institute is also looking at doubling its student intake every year. ``By 2011, the campus will be functional with its full capacity,'' Mr Birla said. Besides Pilani, BITS currently has campuses in Dubai and Goa. ``Presently our Dubai campus houses 1,200 students while we have about 1,700 students in Goa. Our aim is to increase the student intake to 1,500 in Dubai ," he said.

in the future. Next year, Goa campus will achieve its full strength and will have 2,500 students,'' he said. BITS has over 18,000 students including those, who have enrolled for its off-campus programmes. ``By next year, BITS, Pilani will churn out 5,000 students per year, of which 90% will be engineering graduates,'' Mr Birla added.

The institute campuses are also involved in science and engineering research. One of its significant research programme is about safe disposal of nuclear waste, which poses a major threat to humanity. ``In our research, we are using the technique of compacting nuclear waste by using strains of bacteria,'' He explained.

Earlier in his speech, AP chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy had announced that the government is ready to waive off all charges related to land conversion and planning and approval for the institute. He also offered all support needed for setting up a management institute in the state.